LETTER
In response to Plagued by ticks? Or Varroa mites?
I am a beekeeper in Peru working at 2,800-3,500 m above sea level. I read BfDJ regularly and was interested to see the article* about the use of the leaves of aspen trees Populus tremula in controlling Varroa. I would like to report that in Tarapoto, a city of the Peruvian forest (400 m above sea level) some beekeepers use the leaves of \'huamansamana\' (Jacaranda copaia) macerated in 96° ethanol. This is applied in the same way as thymol is used, and the reduction in numbers of Varroa is remarkable. Research is underway and we are hopeful of good results.
I am sure that in nature we can find substances that neutralise Varroa without altering the quality of the honey.
Javier Llaxacondor, Lima, Peru
*Published in BfD Journal 92 (page 5) and available on the Information Portal of the BfD website